Defence Minister Ng Visited SAF Troops in Iraq

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical team deployed in Iraq in support of the multinational coalition to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) yesterday. He was accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, Deputy Secretary (Policy) Mr Keith Tan, and senior SAF officers.

After receiving a rousing traditional Haka welcome from the coalition forces, Dr Ng was briefed by the SAF medical team on their tasks and responsibilities. During a walkthrough of the medical centre, the SAF medical team also demonstrated their in-theatre medical capabilities, as well as how they worked closely with their coalition partners. Dr Ng emphasised the importance of their mission in Iraq, and expressed confidence in their ability to provide meaningful healthcare support to coalition forces to counter ISIS efforts in Iraq.

During the visit, Dr Ng also received a briefing from the coalition commanders from Australia and New Zealand. They highlighted that while the overall counter-ISIS operations have been progressing well in Iraq, the terrorist threats would continue to evolve and persist. They emphasised that the continued support from partners like Singapore would be vital in addressing the terrorist threat at source. The coalition commanders expressed appreciation for the SAF medical team's contributions.

Since June 2017, medical teams from the SAF have been deployed to Iraq to provide medical support to coalition forces contributing to counter ISIS efforts in Iraq. The SAF teams have been working closely alongside teams from the Australian Defence Force and the New Zealand Force.